Bills interview Chip Kelly, too

Posted by Mike Florio on January 5, 2013, 6:51 AM EST

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When the Chiefs reportedly were closing in on a deal with new coach Andy Reid, they didn’t let him interview elsewhere. With the Browns reportedly closing in on a deal with Chip Kelly, a different approach is being used.

Kelly has interviewed with the Bills, following his interview with the Browns. The Bills announced the development, sort of, via a “report” on the team-owned website.

The announcement of an interview with Marrone is a bit unusual, given that college coaches typically prefer to be courted in the shadows. Unless, of course, they’re doing it to muster public support for a better deal in their current job.

Either way, it seems that college coaches are become more willing to have their names linked to NFL flirtations, even though it can impact the recruiting efforts that become finalized in early February of every year.

Kelly also is expected to interview with the Eagles. And with each minute that passes since a report emerged that Kelly is close to a deal with the Browns, we can only wonder whether that information specifically was leaked to get other teams to aggressively join the pursuit.

After all, it worked for Andy Reid. Not long after worked leaked of a 95-percent certainty that he’ll join the Cardinals, it became a 100-percent certainty that he joined the Chiefs.

It makes sense for Kelly to interview with Buffalo and Philly no matter what the situation is in Cleveland. The guy has to check the landscape and certainly needs to see the degree of interest in his services outside of the Browns.

That said, I haven’t heard word one about the Browns plans to interview more coaching candidates. If that is the case, then Banner, et al. are 1) idiots; 2) have a signed deal with Kelly; or 3) like one of the other candidates that they have already interviewed.

Something doesn’t smell right and it ain’t coming from San Diego. This has a Carlos Boozer-Cavaliers agreement feel to it where Boozer gave his “word” to Cavs ownership that he’d sign a contract and instead signed with Utah. We shall see.

Agents seem to be calling the shots instead of the teams and the candidates themselves. Why would a guy like Chip Kelly only meet with the Browns of all teams? Wouldn’t he rather hear what other teams and better organizations have to say then hone in on a perennial loser with a new owner?

I don’t think many fans of Buffalo want to see Chip Kelly pacing the sidelines. Now Lovie Smith, that’s a whole different story. He brings NFL experience to the table, which is what the Bills need right now, not an overhaul. The re-building started 3 years ago, we don’t need a rookie coach running the team. Don’t knock down the blocks, we just built a skyscraper with them. Hire Smith, get to the playoffs. Hire Kelly and we’ll be waiting another 3-4 years.

There’s a good reason Kelly hasn’t signed on with the Browns. The Browns don’t want him. My bet is they’re linning up back ups just in case a deal with Nick Saban falls through. And, I doubt that it will.

There’s a good reason Kelly hasn’t signed on with the Browns. The Browns don’t want him. My bet is they’re linning up back ups just in case a deal with Nick Saban falls through. And, I doubt that it will.
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I know how Joe “the Reptile” Banner is, he DOES NOT break the bank for anyone! He’s not going to pull out all the stops and keep Kelly in Cleveland. If he gets him, it will be a penny more than the next team willing to pay him or he will drive up the price so another team will overpay. To him that’s a win too. Sick man.

He met with the Browns from Noon until about 7 PM MT, a report said. He then met the Bills after that, and the meeting was over by 9 PM MT. That to me tells me he basically met with the Bills because he didn’t want to look like an idiot, and not to be disrespectful. He even said before the interviews that he will meet with all teams interested to see all opportunities. He’s already made him mind up. He’s meeting again with Cleveland tonight.

as the old saying goes…” it all start up front” – on both sides of the ball. If it were up to me – I would go with the team with the best offensive and defensive lines. That would basically take the Eagles out of it…the bills o-line stinks, but their d-line is studly. the Browns o-line is pretty good, and their d-line is decent. Tough call…

He is interviewing with the other teams because he also already issued a statement personally that he would not do what he did last year, which was to only interview with one team (TB). This deal with Cleveland is as good as done, with the wildcard being possibly if the Eagles make him an offer he can’t refuse. Who is QB would be has too be the real issue he would have with either team.

Let’s see why would he want to go to Cleveland: Final say over roster, young team, no GM in place (Lombardi rumored), HASLAM, and everyone’s favorite: CASH. For those that don’t get what is going on: Jimmy plucked Alec Scheiner away from Jerry Jones grasp. Jimmy gets what Jimmy wants. Hey NFL there is a new sheriff in town and the BROWNS have an owner that wants to win, hates to lose and will do what it takes to win. Will this hire work? Not sure but he will get what he wants, that is what he does. At one point under the old ownership, Jesus himself couldn’t save them from losing.

So how does Richardson fit in with that style. He is not a back by committee back like Kelly likes to use. At least the browns proved again they can pay for the vogue college coach now let’s see if they can win on the field

Anyway, it’s a recurring theme. First team that interviews says they are close to a deal with their new HC, then all of a sudden another team emerges. Saw this with Reid… saw it last year with Fisher too.

I think Buffalo makes more sense for Chip’s system. Jackson and Spiller both could thrive in the LaMichael James/Kenjon Barner role. The only advantage I see in going to the Browns is their division. The Steelers and the Ravens are getting old, and the Bengals aren’t “elite” yet. I wouldn’t want to be in the same division as the Patriots, even if the rest of the division is a mess.

For fans of the Oregon Ducks lets remember that if Chip Kelly makes the jump to coach in the NFL, be it with the Browns, Bills or Eagles, that means that he will be pulling a Pete Carroll and leaving the Ducks before they are hit with NCAA infractions. If the Ducks are safe for another year, I see Chip going back to Oregon, and why not? His team would still be able to contend for a National Title, something Kelly has never won, and the NFL will still be a viable and attractive option in 2014, perhaps with a more attractive team having an opening.

Keep this in mind. Chip Kelly is practically a god in Oregon and his job security is right up there with Nick Saban. If Chip Kelly announces his intentions to take over coaching the Cleveland Browns, a team with some attractive pieces (Richardson, Thomas, Gordon) but also a team located in Cleveland (the factory of sadness, but a factory with new ownership that may be on the rise. Maybe), well, get ready for the Ducks to become USC Trojans 2.0 and be out of the national championship picture for the next few years.

as the old saying goes…” it all start up front” – on both sides of the ball. If it were up to me – I would go with the team with the best offensive and defensive lines. That would basically take the Eagles out of it…the bills o-line stinks, but their d-line is studly. the Browns o-line is pretty good, and their d-line is decent. Tough call…

I read your post and have to correct you or school you in this case.
Q:the bills o-line stinks? A: No, the Buffalo Bills O-line is actually good. They not only blocked for Spiller’s 1000 yards, they kept Ryan Fitzpatrick standing up for most of the year. Before week 11-12 I believe the o-line kept Fitz the least sacked in the league before losing part of their starters. Top 5 Offensive line. Top 10 D-line.

I think (hope) the Bill’s are doing this job search the right way. They appear to be interviewing a number of candidates from which they will try and sign the one they want.
I really think KC and maybe Cleveland are wrong in just going after one person without checking out their options.

In the end I think Philly will shell out big bucks and get Chipper as their Head Coach. And I think the Bills will hire Lovie to be their next HC. Lovie would be a great fit in Buffalo and guys like Mario Williams and Marcell Darius would be extremely happy playing.